NBA Draft Rumors: Chicago Bulls interested in Shabazz Napier

The Chicago Bulls have two first-round draft picks within a few picks of one another which means they have some serious options as to what they can do with them. For a team that historically hates to spend money in free agency, the best way for the Bulls to build is to do so through the draft and that’s what they seem to be doing.

More from Chicago Bulls

• NBA Rumors: Warriors, Lakers among contenders for key free agent
• 3 players Bulls can sign with Disabled Player Exception
• NBA free agency: The 3 biggest losers in this offseason so far
• The new NBA flopping rules explained
• 5 players Sixers could acquire in Harden deal to stay competitive

Chicago is banking on Derrick Rose to come back healthy — something that has become an annual thing in the Windy City — and they’re looking at this incoming draft class to see where the prime talent is for Tom Thibodeau to develop.

While Thibs is a defensive minded coach, the Bulls aren’t going to simply ignore the hole behind Derrick Rose on the roster and are looking at Shabazz Napier as a possible target in the draft this month.

Napier is a guy who has been all over draft boards and mock drafts since he helped win UConn a national title. He was a name to watch heading into the tournament but he seems to have solidified first-round value thanks to the run he had.

Chicago will likely go guard with one pick and forward with their other pick, and Napier is hardly a bad option. The Bulls need someone behind Rose in case his noodle knees give out again and Napier not only presents a decent backup option but perhaps a long term replacement if Rose never is able to stay healthy.